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Sunday, May 6, 2012

Hot Air Balloon Tour over Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys

Last Friday, I was looking at the holiday photos of a friend in Singapore taken in Turkey. He has flew to Turkey from Singapore in October 2011 for a 1+ week holiday and travelled to many great locations in Turkey like Pamukkale, Cappadocia, Istanbul, Efes, etc. He has taken a balloon tour in Cappadocia region of central Turkey and I have realized that the company he has taken was the one one of my friends is working as a balloon pilot.

Cappadocia means the land of beautiful horses. It is famous for its stunning view created by amazing rock formations thanks to the volcanic activities of nearby Erciyes mountain and erosion. Locals in Turkey call these rock formations "fairy chimneys". There is really something mystical about them. Until early 1990s, the only way to get a great view was to climb or drive to a nearby hill and watch the sunset and sunrise on the fairy chimneys. But then, locals discovered the power of hot air balloon to get a great view of the landscape.

Hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia
Hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia - Source : Royal Balloon
The hot air balloon allows tourists to see fantastic views of the naturally formed columns of rock formed by nature slowly in 10 million years. Some of these fairy chimneys are 40 metres high and if people were not more innocent back in the past, these phallus rocks would be definitely given a very different name. Most beautiful chimney can be found around and about Göreme, the village where my friend's company flies the hot air balloons from.

The balloon experience is quite unique. During the flight, there is absolutely no noise except the hot air producing burner's mild noise. The balloon flies with the same speed of air surrounding it so even the sound of wind is absent. This noise free flight over a magical landscape creates a stunning experience. Many Singaporeans flying to Turkey goes to Cappadocia and many tour packages include these balloon experiences. If you are going to Turkey by tour, check if the tour takes you to Cappadocia and includes a hot air balloon experience. It is a must do in Turkey holiday. 

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